Wellness Programs and Nutrition Education.

A nutrition education program should include a nutritional needs assessment, education counseling, and referral as necessary.

Educational sessions and materials ought to include the following information –

• the relationship of nutrition and chronic illnesss

• Improving consuming patterns

• Relationship of nutrition and proper weight maintenance

• Exercise

• Stress

• Blood pressure

• Cholesterol

• Diabetes and other chronic diseases.

• Nutritionally accurate information regarding the relationship of health to diet, including cholesterol, fats, fiber, alcohol, carbohydrates, salt, sugar, and vitamin/mineral supplementation.

Methods for identifying healthier foods and incorporating low-calorie, high nutrient foods into eating habits. Guidelines for bettering eating habits must be based on or in line with national recommendations such as the Food Guide Pyramid.

Instructor ought to be a registered dietitian, registered nurse, or have a baccalaureate degree or higher in health education with training in nutrition.

When an allied health specialist instructs the program, a consultation and review of the program design by a registered dietitian is recommended.